Even women think fat jokes are funny in India

Dr. Ravi never ceases to shock me with the jokes he makes to his patients- its always in good spirit and its always about their weight.  But the women here aren't offended if you call them fat.  They don't cry over your implications and they don't get mad at their husbands for touching their tummies. They just laugh- and it's awesome.  Heres some of the dialogue I heard today between Dr. Ravi and his patients

Patient is pregnant with twins and has come in with her mom

Dr. Ravi- "I'm very pleased you're having twins, but I'm a little concerned about your mother...she looks like she's having twins too!"

They laugh.

New Patient Dr. Ravi has never seen before

Dr. Ravi says, "Are you pregnant or does your stomach just look that way?"

Patient says, "Not pregnant, just fat" and laughs

A patient comes in complaining of stomach and chest paint

Dr. Ravi says, "Stomach and chest pain?! Wheres your abdomen? Wheres your chest? Its all just one big piece." Patient laughs

A patient comes in and is worried that her teen son isn't putting on weight.  

Dr. Ravi takes one look at her and says, "He's the only one in the family thats healthy!"  The mother agrees and laughs.

His patients adore him and his sense of humor (although I'm not sure that his comments would be met quite as warmly in the State.) But hey, he cracks his patients up.  Its so nice to be surrounded by a society that isn't constantly worrying over their weight (especially because I'm sure we've all gained some after coming here!)

Speaking of weight gain, the girls and I have become frequent visitors of the ice cream shop in town.  Tonight we took a nice walk there after dinner-- it was the perfect way to end the week!

ps- I'm super glad that Indians aren't obsessive over their weight...but it is worth mentioning that 25% of all diabetics in the world are Indian (a statistic Dr. Ravi shared with me today)